Ten ways to plan lower scores

Tour professionals and top class amateurs know exactly how they intend to play a hole, they know how far they hit a shot, controlled by trajectory.

Faldo has a cunning plan-ner!

Their plan is determined after familiarising themselves with bunkers, doglegs, green contours and slopes. They know where best to hit the ball and where not to.

At Augusta National where the US Masters is played next month, most players - even first-timers - know where to hit the ball on the green to leave themselves a flatter or uphill putt. Often it's a case of approaching the green away from the flagstick.

You rarely need to be that precise at your local club, or even one you are playing for the first time, but there's more to golf than hitting and hoping. A little strategy and forward planning in course management is guaranteed to lead to lower scores.

A good tip is to take a nine-hole playing lesson from your local pro instructor, which will teach you some good general knowledge about managing your round and how to keep your game under control.

Your priorities must be always to keep the ball in play, don't be greedy and use one more club than the distance dictates.

Here's ten ways to plot your way to lower scoring...

Check average distance for each club

Most courses in the UK - and indeed around the world - publish a hole-by-hole guide (costing from between £2-£5) and they're a really good investment, with yardages identified to and from various landmarks on each hole.

But the planner is next to useless if you don't know how far you are capable of striking each club, allowing for five to ten yards of role for the long irons and woods.

You can usually calculate this roughly by the marker posts on the driving range but better still, take some practice balls on to a playing field in calm weather and pace out the average distance you hit 15-20 balls with each club, disregarding the five longest and shortest in the cluster.

For example the average for a mid-handicapper with a 3-wood is 190-200 yards, a 7-iron 135-145 yards, a pitching wedge 95-110. But don't take that as gospel, stride it out for yourself, then you can apply that knowledge to the course.

Long iron is a good club off the first tee

A lofted wood or even a long to medium iron is often the best policy to get the ball in play and avoid any hazards playing on your mind as you quiver on the tee, desperate to avoid an embarrassing start.

It's a good tip to imagine a tape tied to the flagstick back to the 150 marker, from which to prescribe an imaginary arc to help you gauge distance.

Though it would be great to be able to hit the green with your next shot (assuming it's a par-4), it's not vital, especially as most starting holes offer a low stroke index to the handicap golfer.

Aim for the widest part of the green or a point offering the easiest chip and two putts. This isn't being defensive, it's being sensible, so you can start your round on an even keel. It's important to settle your nerves as soon as possible.

If you're 20-feet or more from the hole, concentrate on an easy stroke to leave yourself, ideally, a simple tap-in. Take note too of the roll of the ball over the putting surface. This will give you a good idea of the pace of the greens on the rest of the course.

If it's light and fluffy or damp and clinging, forewarned is forearmed so you can approach future shots around the course with more confidence.

The same goes for the sand in the bunkers, especially if it's wet and heavy. You can take more care to play away from these likely card-wreckers as your round proceeds.

Think 'sensible' from deep rough

Chances are you will compound the problem and rack up a telephone number score.

Damage limitation is vital. Get yourself back into play on to the short grass to make your next shot as simple as possible.

Consider a bogey or even a double bogey merely a hiccup. It needn't be a disaster but could turn into one if you gamble and make the carry over a hazard too risky.

Trying to power the ball over them or past them needs only a near perfect strike for success.

When taking a penalty drop from lateral or water hazards read the Rules carefully and make sure you consider the area into which you are dropping the ball to avoid old divots and give yourself the best possible chance of a good lie for your recovery.

Don't be cute with chips

Inevitably you will find yourself beside or just short of the green. While the old adage a bad putt will tend to finish closer than a bad chip, putting over rough ground can be hazardous.

However, chipping a 6- or 7-iron with a putting grip will often prove more beneficial and at least tend to leave you a makeable putt. A bobbled shot with a putter can still end up short of the putting surface.

Chipping firmly over a hazard close to the green will ensure you at least finish on the green, rather than trying to finesse it. Trying to be cute with chips often puts you in even more trouble.

Even if the ball is tucked under the face and nearly impossible to direct towards the flagstick, Gary Player or Tony Johnstone you're not, so bite the bullet and play out sideways to leave a position from which you can attack the hole.

Be conservative from sand - don't take unnecessary risks.

Too often, we wrongly associate a shorter shot with being easier. This may seem over-cautious, but if you are looking to shoot as low a score as possible, you need to play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses.

Almost everyone has a favourite club or yardage and the more times that situation can be utilised the better. Good practice will increase the number of favourite clubs and yardages but for now, play to your strengths.

Do you have any tips on course management that have worked for you? Tell us on The Forum